The Baxter County Sheriff's Office is investigating a fatality traffic crash that occurred this afternoon, Wednesday October 6th, on Old Arkana Road (Baxter CR 54).

     At approximately 3:34 PM today, the 9-1-1 Call Center received a call from a female who stated that she was being followed and chased by a man in another vehicle and that this man had intentionally rammed the vehicle she was in.  This was said to be occurring in the area of Old Arkana Road and Old Military Road.  The female caller knew the name of the driver of the other vehicle and gave the name to the 9-1-1 Operator.

     Baxter County Sheriff's Deputies began to immediately respond to the area to investigate and attempt to make contact with these vehicles.  Just three minutes later, a Baxter County Deputy drove up on a two vehicle crash in the area of 427 Old Arkana Road.  The vehicles involved matched the description of those provided to the 9-1-1 Center by the female caller.  The Deputy found the driver of the first vehicle, a male, to be deceased and a female passenger in the same vehicle to be injured.  Rescue and Emergency Medical Personnel were dispatched to the scene.  Extrication equipment was used to help get the female out of the wrecked vehicle.

     The driver of the second vehicle, who had been reportedly chasing and ramming the first vehicle, was also found at the scene. He was subsequently taken into custody and transported to the Sheriff's Office for further investigation.

     The incident is being investigated as a homicide, and the crash scene is being processed as a crime scene.  Investigators will be conferring with the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney about potential charges as the investigation continues.  Baxter County Sheriff's Deputies and Investigators are being assisted in the investigation by the Arkansas State Police.  The Mountain Home Fire Department, Baxter Regional Medical Center Ambulance, and the Baxter County Coroner's Office also responded. 

     The names of those involved will not be released until the investigation has proceeded further.

Sheriff John Montgomery